Sony have now released a brand new PlayStation 4 commercial detailing a ‘perfect’ day in their explosive universe of fast-paced next generation gaming.

Are you happy with your PlayStation 3? The console of the current generation that makes more noise than a wailing banshee in a wind tunnel, where just 512 MB of RAM is used to power the console, sometimes leading to graphics and gameplay that leaves much to be desired? By all means, Sony’s current black behemoth is capable of some very great gaming experiences (The Last of Us and Heavy Rain being notable titles) but can it do what the PS4 can? The answer is no, but when Sony’s PlayStation 4 is released later this year, the fun-o-meter is going to be cranked up to eleven as, detailed in this brand new ‘Perfect Day’ commercial, with the PS4 set to include some incredibly grand gaming experiences.

The advert, which you can see above, makes good use of Perfect Day, the 1972 song by rock musician Lou Reed, which depicts the very ideal 24 hours that Mr. Reed could come up with. Here, Sony are hoping that your definition of ‘perfection’ is just one word, ‘PS4’, with them showcasing some of the next-gen console’s finest, represented by a cast of men who clearly know how to make the most of some rather unfortunate situations.

In case all of the references weren’t clear, three of the biggest, most talked about next generation games were represented above The first, signified by those telling ‘Viking like’ helmets that you might have seen a certain Dovahkiin wearing in a certain game called ‘Skyrim’, was Elder Scrolls Online, Bethesda’s MMORPG based in its giant lore-packed, orcs and knights battling universe. There was also Driveclub, a PS4 exclusive team racing game, whose inclusion into this trailer suggest that it’s still on track to be a PS4 launch title (despite what the rumours have suggested). And finally, Killzone Shadow Fall (also a PS4 exclusive game) was on show, complete with a Helghast leader and his troops, who you will also be able to take on when the PS4 launches next month on November 15th.

Sony’s Gamescom press conference bought us a plethora of brand new announcements for the PS4 and you can read the eight best reveals from the show right here.

There are few things as exciting as the release of a brand new games console. New hardware suddenly makes next-generation gaming a real, tangible prospect and with super HD gaming and increased connectivity on the cards, it’s not hard to see why everyone is interested. The PS4 is the next-gen console set to make the biggest waves with Sony promising that their new game box will put the focus on games instead of gimmicks, but there are still many questions about the console, such as its release date. The company have taken to the stage at Gamescom to clear PS4 queries up and reveal plenty more about the console and you can read the top eight here.

1. PS4 Release Date

Easily the biggest announcement from Gamescom was that of the PS4’s release date. Everyone is chomping at the bit for when it will be out and now we finally know. For those in North America, the PS4 release date is November 15th and for those in Europe the PS4 release date is November 29th. The two week difference is likely to cope with demand, given that according to Sony, the console has logged over 1 million pre-orders already.

2. Twitch TV on PS4

One massive, highly anticipated feature of the PS4 is the ‘Share’ button, a button on the new and improved DualShock that allows users to upload gameplay footage straight to the web, with option of livestreaming also being included. Sony teaming up with Twitch TV means that those not accustomed to UStream, who are looking for a solely game streaming service, will have yet another option of broadcasting their game playing skills.

3. PS4 Freebies

We already know that PS4 is going to offer up some free gaming in terms of PlayStation Plus (the paid multiplayer service that also comes with free games and content) but developer of the PS4 exclusive FPS, Killzone : Shadowfall used Gamescom to promise free DLC. The team say that post-launch, they will support the game with free multiplayer maps, meaning that you’ll be getting a real bang for your buck once Killzone : Shadowfall is out

4. inFamous : Second Son on PS4

The key thing to the PS4’s success will be whether or not its games are up to scratch and one of the hotly tipped prospect for fulfilling that is inFamous : Second Son from Sucker Punch Productions. Allowing you to fill the super-powered boots of Delsin Rowe, fire, smoke and a plethora of other powers will be available to you in the superhero sandbox game all within the PS4’s launch window as they’ve announced the release date as ‘February 2014’.

5. Tearaway on PS4?

Media Molecule are the genius minds behind LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2 on PS3 and now, their title Tearaway is set to make its debut on PS3. Media Molecule say that they could very well bring the title to PS4 too, which would be a huge plus for the system as the game utilises multiple control systems including elements that require touchscreens.

6. PS4 Playroom

Discussed on ps3maven before is Playroom, a piece of PS4 software that makes good use of multiple screen controls, motion control and alternate reality and now, Sony have announced that it will come pre-installed on every PS4 console. Not only will this teach everyone how to get the most out of their games, it’ll also be a great deal of fun!

7. PS4 Online Gaming Partnerships

A huge low blow to the next generation of consoles is the fact that not everyone has a high speed Internet connection with which to access online multiplayer. At Gamescom, Sony announced partnerships with broadband providers in which dedicated bandwidth will be provided just for gaming, meaning that your Internet connection will be tailored to give you a smooth gaming experiences.

8. PS3 to PS4 Games

The problem with multi-format games is that some of them happen to be released before that November release date and, if you want to get your hands on their gameplay before you pick up a PS4, you may jump the gun. Luckily, Sony promised a new transaction that will allow you to buy the PS4 version of those games for a “significantly discounted price”, should you already own the PS3 version, helping you to save money.

Sony will likely make even more PS4 announcements ahead of the November release date so we’ll keep you posted once we know more.

The most publicized PlayStation event is set for later today, and everyone is looking at Sony to see what they end up announcing. Will it be the PS4?

After a long time of teasing, and the longest console cycle in recent history. everything seems to be leading up to an eventual PS4 announcement for later today. Sony has been all tease, talking about the history of the company and the Playstation platform without ever mentioning a new console, but after the hype that has been built, and without Sony actually denying it, there’s little room for doubt now.

The event can be followed in multiple platforms, such as the PSN Blog, PlayStation.com, inside the virtual world of PlayStation Home, and even via your PS3’s Xross Media Bar by looking at the “What’s New” section. Also, the hashtag #playstation2013 on twitter, and the several updates that will be coming to Facebook and Google+.

The PlayStation 4 is happening, but we just don’t know when. Still, a feature that has not been discussed as much is that of a replacement for the DualShock controller, which Sony said intended to replace this generation around. Let’s see how this replacement might look like, according to a bunch of different artists.

Now keep in mind, we only know that Sony wants to change the DualShock but we don’t know what it’s gonna look like in the end. These are artist renditions, not official concepts in any shape or form. Still, we do have a reasonable idea of what to expect, and what things we will likely find once final device comes out. Most notably, a touchscreen akin to the back screen of the PS Vita replacing the Select, Start, and PS button.

The talk about the eventual successor of the PS3 is getting louder and louder, and now, higher ups in Sony talk about it straight up. The problem is, they’re saying nothing too specific!

Rumors have been going wild as of late, and while no one really knows when Sony and Microsoft will unveil their next home consoles and members of the Playstation and Xbox families, we keep hearing more and more stuff about them. As of last week, the big rumor was the possibility of the DualShock ceasing to exist (Noooooo!), and this week we have words from Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai: he straight up said that “[Sony] will let Microsoft make the first move”.

The quote is taken from the business section of The Times today, where Hirai explains: “Why go first, when your competitors can look at your specifications and come up with something better?”. While this sounds like a taunt, and something the press would like to hear, it’s really unlikely that consoles would change their specs so far up into their development cycle, but there’s nothing like a good old brag to get people interested in what you’re doing.

With Nintendo having just launched their Wii U a couple of months ago, the world awaits to see what Sony and Microsoft come up with this time around. What are you expecting, dear readers? Let us know in the comments section.

During an investor call in Japan last week, Sony has made its first official statement that a new console that would succeed our beloved PlayStation 3 is being worked on.

What will its name be? Here's a cool PS4 concept.

Masaru Kato, Sony’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer said during a discussion about the increase in research and development costs:

“For the home equipment the PS3 still has a product life, but this is a platform business, so for the future platform – when we’ll be introducing what product I cannot discuss that – but our development work is already under way, so the costs are incurred there.”

So we’ll do just fine with our PS3s for now, and, having no other details about this upcoming platform, one can assume it may take a while before fresh news arise. This new work seems quite recent since, as of February, all we knew was that “A near-future PS4 or next-generation home console is not something that we are even debating now. That is to say, we are still concentrating fully upon the PS3. Right now, I appeal to you to think of the PS3 and NGP as a new, co-operative partnership,” as Representative Corporate Executive Officer and Executive Deputy President of Sony Corporation, Kaz Hirai had stated.

Not much other details have been revealed so far, though we can still wonder what will it’s case be like, what its name will be, what capabilities will it have. Dreaming is free, people say.